Iran’s most senior military commander says the US is afraid of the Revolutionary Guards, hailing the IRGC’s might and strategic capabilities. 

Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic Major General Mohammad Bagheri made the remarks in a congratulatory message on the occasion of the establishment of the IRGC, which is on Saturday. 

“The IRGC's all-round strategic capabilities have not only brought about security and peace for the great nation of Iran and increased the deterrence power of the country, but have also caused fear and anger in the camp of various enemies of this land,” he said in a message addressed to IRGC’s commander-in-chief Hossein Salami.

In the jargon of the Islamic Republic, the main enemy refers to the United States, also dubbed as the great Satan, followed by Israel, and depending on the current state of affairs the word can extend to other Western countries.

Similar Iranian statements have increased recently as conflict flared up between Israel and militant groups supported by Tehran.

Bagheri’s remarks came a day after US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a statement, announcing sanctions on elements of Iran’s military procurement network. “These elements -- one individual and six entities -- based in Iran, China, and Malaysia have supported procurement activities of the US-sanctioned Iranian company Pardazan System Namad Arman (PASNA), which is linked to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics,” read the statement. 

Stressing that Washington remains firmly committed to taking action to disrupt Iran’s military programs, the US said, “Iran’s proliferation of weapons destabilizes the Middle East and beyond, and we will continue to work with allies and partners to counter such activity.”